Where the Brahmaputra meets the Mississippi fundraiser

A fundraising event called ‘Where the Brahmaputra meets the Mississippi’ will be geld on Sept. 19, 2015, at 6 p.m., at Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55407.

This annual event symbolizes the confluence of cultures of the mystical east with the vibrant west. The mighty river Brahmaputra flows through the state of Assam, in India, a state known for its pristine beauty, rich history and culture.

The majestic Mississippi flows through the heart of Minnesota, which is known as one of the cultural and literary centers of the west. This cultural evening will provide an opportunity for community members to experience the coming together of these two great cultures through celebration in dance, music and songs.

There are two main goals for this annual fundraising event. The first is to create awareness and interface of the local with the global, the local community here in the twin cities has a unique opportunity to understand and explore a part of the world that is not often in the limelight. The other is to raise funds for villages in Assam, India.

The funds from this event will support the issue that RGVN has been working with which is developing entrepreneurial and self-sufficiency skills among groups of very poor traditional weaver community women. These women have excellent traditional skills sets of weaving fine textures and artifacts, yet because of their lack of access to credit and market, they are not able to make gainful livelihoods out of their skills. They are often tricked by middle-men who benefit tremendously by buying their products at very cheap rates and selling the same products at exorbitant amounts locally and globally.

RGVN has made impressive ground work in helping these women organize into self-help groups, and any funds they receive will help them in creating other capacity building skills, marketing issues etc. Since then they have made excellent strides in their work with the weaver women. The organizers are very confident that the funds the organizations will receive through this year’s fundraising will go a long way in providing them the help that they need to create positive changes in the lives of women they work so passionately for.

Community support of this event and the cause is crucial as it is dependent on this commitment to further its efforts. For information contact Mili Dutta at 763 458 8661 or email [email protected]